Notes for new players: * Game rules are posted on page 1347.* The first game was easy. The games will become increasingly difficult as they progress, especially without the book, chapter, and verse posted at the beginning.* There will likely be slight translation differences, but keep the game going as well as we can. * It is a good way for us to recall scripture verses and their location.* Join us in the game!

Don

John 14:6Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Well, Becky, if you must know the truth, I'm three times your age, but spending 37 years teaching in secondary school and since subbing, and constantly surrounded by teen-agers, I'm still in some respects like one of them--if you don't count the wrinkles and the aches. I graduated from Central Academy and Central Junior College (Now Southern Wesleyan) in Central, SC., and my husband and I lived in Bennettsville, SC, for four years after he graduated from college. His sister's husband was pastoring there, and we moved there to help. Now I must admit I like Charlotte area better than the sandhill area. East or West, Christian friends are best!

My mom and I went out to the farm today. Sure brings back memories. Deer hunting starts next Sat. We have tough days ahead this time of year. I realize that someday I'll remember him with more smiles than tears, but it isn't someday yet.

Becky, I have moved around some, too. Although I was born in South Dakota, Kentucky and Ohio was home to me through the fourth grade. Then, it was back to South Dakota for the next eleven years. Following a year-long move to Nebraska, I finally ended up in Minnesota where I have resided for the past fifty two years.

I have visited every corner of this country and most places in between, however, there's no place like home...there's no place like home...there's no place like HOME. MY NEXT MOVE IS UP!

Don

John 14:6Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

I have at least two problems that can be a source of trouble for others. Often times those problems can cause misunderstanding, hurt, and pain, or, a "what-in-the-world-is-he-doing" thought among people.

One problem is my weird sense of humor. It is a dry, subtle form, and can also be much like the old "Far Side" cartoons by Gary Larson (remember them?). It just rolls out of my mouth without hint of a facial smile. It comes naturally to me. Even people who know me well don't know if I am kidding, or not...and very few truly know me. That drives people nuts, since many think I might be belittling or publically criticizing them. I would never intentionally do that.

Another problem is that when I respond to people it is often done in a straight forward manner without beating around the bush, and with very little subtlety or sensitivity. Sometimes my response can be as a a bull in a china closet. That can often spell disaster, especially when people might confuse it with my sometimes "off-the-wall" humor.

I am quite certain that my "problems" have caused problems for some of you in the past. If that has happened, I am truly sorry and apologize to you from the depths of my heart...and humbly ask your forgiveness.

"Dear Lord, forgive me for the hurt and pain I may have brought upon others with careless words. Teach me to be more thoughtful and sensitive toward others, and more Christ-like in all that I do and say. Thank You for the Holy Spirit's conviction when things are wrong in our lives. I pray and ask these things in Jesus' Name - Amen!"

Don

John 14:6Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Well I hope everyone is having a blessed day. I'm trying to push my NaNoWriMo word count up a bit today. I've been under the weather the last few days and still not 100%, now my Dad has come down with it too. He's actually on the sofa still in his pajamas and curled up with his snuggie and my mom's snuggie.

Oh and Laurie, you could also try and use a different browser like Google Chrome. If the forums still mess up in chrome then it's either your computer or the forums.

I just finished reading a book Unexplainable Events. . . But God--Legacy Letter to Our Grandchildren to Pass on Values from the Seasons of Life by Clifton & Ernstena Parker Wood. Clifton was our pastor for many years when we went to the Wesleyan Church. Ernie had been married to a Wesleyan preacher who had died in an airplane accident. She and Clifton reconnected from their college days when she had been a widow for 24 years, and Clifton's wife had died. The letters were continued for the grandchildren of the blended family. You can almost see the twinkle of her eyes and hear the beat of this grandmother's heart in the letters. The book is on Amazon, and this is a review I put there and on Facebook. I know some of you who enjoy reading about long-ago days would especially like this.

UNEXPLAINABLE EVENTS. . .BUT GOD is composed of letters written to the grandchildren of Clifton and Ernstena Parker Wood. The book exemplifies a wonderful way to leave a Christian legacy and gives readers practical suggestions for leaving their own legacies.

There are stories here of bygone days, of mischievous children, of missionary trips, of miracles from God's hand, of old loves and new--but most of all, of families dedicated to God and of God's grace in their lives. How the grandchildren, young and old, must have looked forward to receiving these fascinating letters, and how very much I enjoyed reading them. One of my favorite stories described how God healed the crack in the radiator of an old Model T Ford.

Karolyn Chapman, wife of Dr. Gary Chapman, author of THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES, described the book this way: "This book is a treasure chest of God's hand in daily events. We want our grandchildren to read it."

One of the current catch phrases we hear today is "What would Jesus do?"

We hear it so often, and usually meant flippantly, and we have, or at least I have, pretty much tuned it out. I thought it was a new idiom, something dreamed up as "this years sales gimmick" when I first started hearing it. I recently discovered it actually was being used over 100 years ago.

I have stumbled across the book In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon written in 1896. It brought me to tears!

It is a study, written as a novel, of what the potential changes and costs, are to actually living every day with the thought "What would Jesus do?"

It starts with a pastor in a very wealthy, complacent, social christian (small c intended) church, who asked himself, and then his church, to start every day by asking themselves that question. It has profound results.

I understand the book is still listed among the all time top best sellers.

You can get it from Amazon as an ebook for free, I paid .99 from Barnes and Noble. I totally recommend it

Carole

Proud to be a 500 member.I don't know the master plan, but I know the Master has a plan.